My first job (apart from delivering milk on weekends and holidays whilst still at school) was as an apprentice joiner for Coultas and Shaw of Thornaby, starting in 1960.

What did in entail?

Being trained as a joiner both in the workshop and on construction sites.

When and why did you go into that line of work?

At the time I left school aged 16 the first of the "war baby" bulge was hitting the labour market and their was little choice in employment. I had an aptitude towards practical work and had been interested in woodworking since helping my grandad - who was a joiner - as a child.

How much was your first pay packet?

My first pay packet was £1-2s-6?d - one pound, two shillings and sixpence ha'penny - i.e. £1.12 that was for 54 hrs work.

What did you spend it on?

I gave my first wage packet to my mother to contribute to my keep. She returned about half so I could buy overalls and pay my bus fares to work.

What positions have you held since then?

I completed my apprenticeship when I was 21 and became foreman joiner. I had been attending night school and gained qualifications that enabled me to obtain a post with a national construction company as student general foreman and after further training became general foreman and then site agent. Various career moves with different companies in the UK, Middle East and Africa advanced my career until I became a senior contracts manager. I then changed my career path and joined a training company to put back some of my skill and knowledge into the local community. Later I joined Stockton City Challenge as employer liaison manager then Stockton Council as projects manager and now with Redcar and Cleveland in a similar role.

What's the most useful careers advice you have ever been given?

My grandad once said to me, when he was trying to pass on his skill and knowledge, never say "I know" because the probability is that you don't know and in saying that you do you will loose you the opportunity of gaining the benefit of others experience. His advice has served me well. Other advice has been "always pay attention to detail" and "you are only as good as the last job you did".

What's been your best/worst career decision?

My best career decision was to take overseas employment and my worst was to seriously challenge the authority of one of my seniors over an issue that was probably not as critical as I believed it should be. Bad move, there are people in this world that bear a grudge and have long memories.

What's your top tip when it comes to work?

Good planning is critical for a good result.

What's your dream job?

I am doing it, if I was not satisfied with it I would change it. Life is too short to be doing something you don't like doing.